Airservices assists with bushfire response

Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) is continuing to assist with the bushfire emergency impacting on several states.

We are a member of the Commissioners and Chief Officers Strategic Committee (CCOSC) which includes all states and territories and participate in the Australian Government Crisis Centre Meetings.

Since mid-December we have been offering support and resources to all states, this includes Ultra Large Fire Vehicles and crews working as strike teams and also Urban Fire Vehicles and crews providing domestic responses.

The ARFFS is a member of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Authorities Council (AFAC) which has established the National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) to coordinate resources and we continue to offer resources so that agencies can effectively request our resources to assist.

The ARFFS has appointed a National Resource Coordinator to assess any further calls for Mutual Aid assistance and Local Operations Managers are canvassing local staff to determine who may be available to assist in the impacted areas.

At present we have resource requests from New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.